Running Rich

Still tring to get this Maxim dialed in. I put about 10 miles on it today and it seems to be running reasonably well. I don't really have anything to compare it to. Anyway, my plugs still get sooty. I know this points toward running rich, but what could account for the richness? Should I double check and/or lower the float levels? Or could it be something else?

Full list of symptoms:

Sooty plugs
prefers to start without the choke/enrichment circuit.
The choke does raise the RPM's. I use it when warming up, just not to start.
When cold, starts easier without the choke, with throttle cracked.
Starting spray in airbox helps (when cold)

Quick history: valves are in spec. All jets were removed/cleaned and carbs were cleaned, but rack was not split. Floats were wet set. Carbs were synced and colortuned as well as possible given the fluctuations.

As a separate, or possible related issue, it's still not charging very well. I've replaced the brushes and cleaned most of the connections, but have not yet replaced the original fuse panel. Could a weak spark be causing my issue?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Sounds like mine. I even set the floats slightly low, but still in spec. My richness was corrected by slowly closing the pilot screws--about 1/4 turn at first, and now only slight adjustments.

 

My guess would be weak spark.

 

Or the enrichment plungers aren't shutting off completely.

Did you pull them out and inspect the rubber seal in the end? Clean and polish their seats? Ensure that none of them are being held open when the lever is off?

 

An issue with the enrichment plungers would make a lot of sense. I had removed the plunger assemblies, made sure they moved smoothly, and cleaned the passage they thread into, but that's it. Where is this rubber seal? Is it in the carb body itself, or inside the brass seat?

 

Don't know about your bike, but according to Chacal, my bike (XJ700N) has no rubber seals for the cold start plungers. I cleaned and polished them and put them back in. Chacal or someone else should be able to tell you ir your's requires o-rings or rubber seals.

 

The Mikunis on the 550s have rubber seals IN the ends of the enrichment plungers. They're not replaceable; they're part of the plunger itself. If they need to be replaced (on an as-needed basis) you have to replace the plunger.